Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) For hair loss
Platelet Rich Plasma for hair loss (PRP) Treatment in South Pasadena, CA
Treatments
PRP for Hair Loss
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product that is a portion of a patient’s own blood. PRP is used for a variety of medical applications, including wound healing, skin rejuvenation, tissue regeneration, and alopecia (hair loss) treatment. RejuvaYou’s protocol for PRP delivers 4-6 times baseline, an optimal concentration. Does PRP for hair really work? Can PRP regrow hair? How does it compare to other hair loss remedies? Continue reading to learn more about this cutting-edge hair loss treatment.
What is PRP?
PRP or platelet-rich plasma for hair is a five-step procedure in which a sample of your blood is drawn, purified and processed, re-injected into your scalp. After that, the area is microneedled to create microchannels and promote circulation while adding additional PRP topically to get into the scalp and to treat hair loss. As noted, RejuvaYou’s PRP contains 4-6 times more platelets than whole blood. It contains various growth factors, proteins, and bioactive molecules that can strengthen hair follicles. PRP injections in the scalp stimulate cell proliferation and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels). Some growth factors in PRP have been shown to activate the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair growth cycle. These effects of PRP together promote natural hair growth.
How is PRP hair performed?
In the first step, blood is drawn from the arm. At RejuvaYou Medical, we obtain a slightly larger sample of blood (50 mL) compared to the usual 10-20 mL, so that there’s more PRP to inject. The second step involves processing the blood in a centrifuge machine that separates blood into fluids of different densities, including red blood cells, platelet-poor plasma, and platelet-rich plasma. Step 3 involves drawing up the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into a syringe and injecting it into target areas of the scalp that have thinning hair or hair loss. Just like the skin on our face, the scalp also loses collagen as we age, resulting in slow hair growth and dormant hair follicles. Step 4 and Step 5 involve the use of microneedling with topical PRP to boost collagen production in the scalp by creating microchannels and improving circulation and delivering PRP to the scalp to support hair growth. One particular study found that patients who used microneedling in conjunction with traditional hair loss therapies showed a greater improvement in hair regrowth after only 12 weeks.
How many PRP sessions are needed for hair?
The number of PRP treatments required varies from patient to patient. In general, patients require three PRP sessions for hair loss, spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Following this, maintenance treatments are recommended 2-3 times a year.
What is the success rate of PRP for hair?
Various studies have shown PRP gives good results in women and men with androgenic alopecia (female or male pattern hair loss). It takes around 3 months to see maximum improvement. After PRP therapy, patients note increased hair density in the treated areas. Both men and women regrow about 30-40% of lost hair.
Is PRP better than minoxidil?
Other currently available treatments for hair loss include two FDA-approved medications – minoxidil and finasteride. Both these drugs can have side effects, such as scalp dryness and itching (minoxidil) and sexual dysfunction in men (finasteride). Also, you need to take the medicines indefinitely, and the results are often inconsistent.
One study in 2014 looked at patients who were unresponsive to minoxidil and finasteride. They had PRP injections into the scalp done every two weeks for a total of 4 treatments. There was a significant reduction in hair loss noted after PRP. All the patients had an increase in hair density. The study concluded that PRP injections are a cost-effective and safe treatment for androgenic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss) with a high rate of patient satisfaction.
PRP can work with minoxidil and finasteride too. A study in Spain found that platelet-rich plasma with 5% minoxidil topical solution works better than PRP with oral finasteride treatment. The PRP-minoxidil combination produced a significant increase in hair count, hair density, and anagen/telogen percentages.
Another hair loss treatment option is a hair transplant. This is a surgical procedure and it is usually recommended for people with severe hair loss. Besides, it is expensive and can leave scars. Sometimes, PRP is performed prior to a hair transplant to boost hair regrowth.
What are the risks of PRP for hair loss?
PRP for hair is an injection treatment that uses your own blood. Therefore, there is no risk of an allergic reaction or getting infected with a communicable disease. However, the injections can lead to complications such as infection, injury to a nerve or blood vessel, calcification at the injection site, and scar tissue formation. At RejuvaYou Medical, we perform PRP injections under strict sterile conditions, so your risk of complications like infection is extremely low. Our providers have extensive experience in PRP scalp injections, greatly reducing your risk of injuries.
What are some precautions after PRP hair treatments?
You will receive detailed post-procedure instructions from the team at RejuvaYou Medical. In general, it is advisable to avoid rubbing or pressing your scalp for 2-3 days after PRP. There is no restriction on movement or physical activity. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise for 24-48 hours to prevent excessive sweating. You can shampoo your hair 12 hours after PRP hair treatment. Avoid using any harsh hair products for at least 72 hours after PRP. You can continue using minoxidil or other hair growth products after PRP.
Does PRP scalp hurt?
In general, PRP injections are tolerable as they are performed with very fine needles. We offer local anesthetics to manage any discomfort. There can be mild pain at the injection site with some temporary scalp tenderness, itching, and/or swelling after PRP hair injections. Some patients undergoing PRP for hair loss develop a headache after the treatment. These symptoms are short-lived and usually resolve quickly without specific treatment.
Am I a candidate for PRP hair loss treatment?
Most people can safely undergo PRP injections in the scalp to promote hair growth. You may not be a candidate for this hair loss treatment if you are a heavy smoker, have a history of alcohol or drug use, or are on blood thinners. Be sure to tell us about all your medications, including over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products, at the time of your consultation.
Not sure if PRP hair is right for you? At RejuvaYou Medical, we offer a free evaluation to determine if PRP can address your hair loss concerns. During the evaluation we will be happy to answer any questions you have about PRP hair or other cosmetic treatments.
Call us or fill out the form below to set up your FREE evaluation.
References:
https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/477353
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/hair-loss-got-you-down-platelet-rich-plasma-may-regrow-it/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jdv.14722
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4134641/
https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/Pages/default.aspx?PAPNotFound=true
